It will be an interesting few years for the Oklahoma City Thunder. This team has one of the most intriguing collections of young talent in the NBA. They also have the most draft capital that a team has ever assembled in the league’s history.
Forget the future for a moment. The Thunder are focused on the here and now. With some internal growth from their core, this team could get into the playoff hunt in 2023-24. The Thunder are on the rise, and their ascension begins now.
With that said, a big trade could help accelerate that ascension. The Thunder have options – they don’t need to make a big move. They could justify simply seeing how far their young guys could take them this year.
On the other hand, they could make a trade for a star and still have draft capital to spare. Could that star be Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors?
NBA Trade Proposal — Oklahoma City Thunder Land Pascal Siakam
Toronto Raptors Receive: F Davis Bertans, G/F Luguentz Dort, F Ousmane Dieng, 2024 First-Round Pick (LAC via OKC), 2025 First-Round Pick (Top 6 Protected – PHI via OKC), 2026 First-Round Pick (LAC via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F/C Pascal Siakam
It’s been an interesting few years for the Raptors. We don’t necessarily mean that in a complimentary way. The Raptors won the 2018-19 NBA championship. Ever since then, they’ve been gradually declining.
Last season, they hit a new low. The Raptors didn’t even qualify for the playoffs. Now, this team is at a crossroads. The Raptors have a lot of talent – that isn’t the issue.
That talent just isn’t necessarily on the same page. The Raptors have veteran talent, and they’ve got young talent.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
That division is reflected in the two most important players on this team. Pascal Siakam is their best player, but Scottie Barnes may be their future. The two may not necessarily be a good pair – they’re remarkably similar players.
Should the Raptors send Siakam to the Thunder as a result?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
The Raptors may not want to rush into a rebuild. This team found a new head coach this summer. They may want to see how his system works with their current group before pulling the trigger on a deal like this one.
Let’s say it’s not looking great. If the Raptors are outside of the playoff picture leading up to the deadline, something is going to have to give. Siakam is due for an extension soon, and so is O.G. Anunoby. This team shouldn’t commit so much money to a team that’s repeatedly giving them mediocre results.
So, we’ve got them rebuilding here. Dort is young enough to be part of a rebuild – and as a bonus, he’s Canadian.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Dieng has star upside too. Most significantly, the Raptors are getting two unprotected firsts and a lightly protected pick that ought to convey. Should the Thunder give so much up for Siakam?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
To reiterate: the Thunder don’t have to do anything like this. They may want to hang onto their assets. There’s enough talent here that the Thunder could make a playoff push without a player like SIakam.
On the other hand, after adding Siakam, they could make a deep run. He’d be joining Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to form one of the most talented duos in the NBA. If Josh Giddey can take a step forward and Chet Holmgren can contribute as a rookie, the Thunder could be dangerous next season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Yet, this deal opens a several-year window for the Thunder. If Giddey and/or Holmgren can enter their prime before Siakam exits his, the Thunder could be serious contenders within the next few years. If nothing else, they’ll be interesting.
